Deputy Mayor Aziz Dabakh Gaye has staunchly defended the Banjul City Council’s (BCC) legal and historical authority over McCarthy Square, pushing back against suggestions that recent renovations funded for a national event should alter its management.
In a strongly worded statement, Gaye emphasized that McCarthy Square has been under BCC’s control since the council inherited the responsibility from the Bathurst Urban District Council (BUDC), The Gambia’s first municipal authority, which transitioned into BCC in 1965. “For the record, McCarthy Square has always been under the authority of Banjul City Council,” he declared, citing an ordinance that empowered the council to manage recreational grounds, markets, and sanitation services.
Gaye bolstered his argument concerning The Local Government Act of 2002, specifically Schedule II, Section 48(2), Subsection 17, which mandates local governments to “establish, maintain or control public parks, gardens, and recreation grounds” on land vested in the council. “McCarthy Square falls squarely under this legal provision,” he asserted. “No amount of external funding or temporary renovations can override this statutory mandate. The law is clear.”
The deputy mayor’s remarks come amid apparent claims that the square’s renovation for a national event justifies a shift in its oversight. “Since when does temporary funding override the law? Since when does a facelift erase history?” Gaye questioned, rejecting the notion outright.
He highlighted BCC’s long-standing commitment to the square, noting that it has hosted numerous national events—such as May Day Sports, Independence parades, and official ceremonies—almost always free of charge. Maintaining the space, he added, is a significant undertaking, with BCC employing over 13 staff members dedicated to its upkeep and spending more than half a million dalasis annually on salaries alone, not including additional maintenance and operational costs.
“This is not just a matter of ownership,” Gaye said. “It is about stewardship, the duty to preserve and protect what belongs to the people.” He underscored the square’s role as a vital part of Banjul’s identity, calling it “part of the city’s fabric, history, and future.”
Gaye warned firmly: “Any attempt to strip it away will be met with firm and resolute opposition because what belongs to the people must remain with them.” The statement signals a brewing tension over the control of one of Banjul’s most iconic public spaces, setting the stage for a potential showdown over its future.
